KCS, RGS or Hampton

[Esher2021]

I saw a few of us need to make choice between 2 or 3 of these schools. I thought a thread would be useful to see what people are thinking.

Looking at travel for us we prefer RGS and KCS - eventually I think public transport will be practical for both schools as DS get older. The trip from Hampton I think is more complicated.

We have a lovely s/s but it isn’t helping us separate the lovely schools. I think KCS looks like it has an edge for on school facilities but I’m not convinced DS is going to be too bothered.

Both are clearly academic but I have a nagging doubt that the pressure will be even higher (too high?) at KCS. Curriculum look very similar as do subjects offered.

KCS sports ground is closer for us. Think DS prefers RGS but only because that is the one in his head from when we started as DD is at school in Guildford. I think the academic scholarship at RGS will be great for his self confidence but I’m not sure there are any other benefits.

And that’s as about as far we got. Great to have a choice, and he has really done brilliantly. Wasn’t expecting it tbh.

And then I come full circle and wonder if I was rash to discount Hampton so quickly.

Where is everyone else’s heads?

Thanks @Pyrfwondering - very reassuring :)

I think there is a real ‘train camaraderie’ on the Guildford line (and on any other lines where dc travel to school). And the older ones look out for the newbies too. A friend with older DC at RGS told me that one day when her DS was in y7 the London road station was shut for some reason (can’t remember why) so all the RGS boys had to get off at Guildford and walk. Quite daunting for the younger ones who didn’t normally use that route. But the older ones went up and down Guildford station platform shouting ‘anyone for RGS, follow us!’ and basically shepherded all the y7s and y8s in the right direction and made sure they were all ok. Love that story, makes you feel like there’s something in your eye

Hi everyone, I know this is an old thread, but we are just starting the 11+ this year as DS is in year 6.

As you all had many offers to KCS, Hampton, RGS, I don’t suppose you could share your boys’ CAT scores? Our DS just got a 134 in verbal and a 130 overall. I am wondering if these result put him in the mix for these schools. Did you get scores above these?

Thanks so much for your help.

Sorry, no help at all. My son came from a state school so no idea about CAT scores. Good luck this year! 🤞

@Iamsososoexcited ds did 10+ at Hampton and was successful. He had end of Y5 CATs of 137/132/128/128 QR/VR/NVR/SR. Your son’s results sound strong.

We are applying for KCS and LU.

Do you think a lot of emphasis is placed on CATs then?

Thanks @Nearlythattime that is great to know! Fingers crossed.

I don't think you should worry about CAT scores - it's really about how the boy does on the day.
My son got CAT scores in mid-130 for all four subjects and had a 10plus offer at Hampton - we turned it down btw. He also had Tiffin. Also turned down.

@Iamsososoexcited he has a chance with those CAT scores.. however it all depends on the day and if you want your son to sit 3 or 4 different papers - or have the schools kept with last years ISEB exam format?

@Esher2021 thanks for starting this thread. Though it was in 2021 but really useful to go through all the parents opinions here in this thread.. I am pretty much in the same situation but in 2023 :-)

My DS got offers from both Hampton and RGS. Honestly DS likes Hampton as a whole school plus his cricket friends ( Part of Esher Cricket Club) goes will be going to Hamptons. Life is like such that , whatever we like comes with challenges.
Since we are in Fleet, Hampton means a travel challenge. No direct train and car drop n pick up ( off peak 40 mins on M3 ) but cannot rely on M3 traffic honestly..so our only option is to leave behind 13 years of living experience, friends etc and move to close by to Hampton.. This move is gonna expensive.

RGS also involves travel ( 20 mins train .. roughly 40 mins door to door ) and many of his current school friends and his seniors catch train however we don't need to move from the area we all loved.

So by going through this thread, I am sensing that both schools are almost similar in academics, sports ( though fecilities and setup are bit different) unless things have changed in these two years otherwise so choosing RGS would be a right choice.

Thanks everyone.🙏